No matter what you call it, former 49ers quarterback Steve Young wishes he played when the concept was around.

"I'm actually really jealous about the pistol. I think it's such a cool thing," Young told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

Young believes the formation and the 49ers' coaching staff have helped ease Colin Kaepernick into the NFL beautifully. They don't always ask Kaepernick to make complex reads, according to Young, but they do ask him to make "complex throws" down the field.

"The pistol isn't going to go away, but the job in the long run is going to be to deliver the ball from the pocket," Young said. "This is a wonderful bridge for young players.

"Look what's happened to these mobile guys, my heroes, my guys. There's this bridge now that they can have success, get more confidence, go to the Super Bowl."

Matt Maiocco points out an incredible stat: Young never even took a snap out of the shotgun during his career. Not one. Kaepernick might be a descendent of Young in the history of mobile quarterbacks, but the game has dramatically changed since the last 49ersSuper Bowl.